I have a fireplace that is not used and I need ideas for styling the opening. The gas logs are still in place and I have a freestanding black screen in front to hide the ugly firebox. – Patricia G., Tulsa, OK
Hi, Patricia! Thank you for your question and for including a photo, it really helps me to visualize the space. I think you’re heading in the general right direction for styling the opening but I think the main issue here is the screen. If you are using a trifold screen, it should be opened all the way to sit flush against the brick rather than folding out, and I also would switch to something that doesn’t have a curve at the top. If you are trying to hide the opening, you want something that seamlessly blends. I would recommend flat styles like this, this, this, or this.
Then in front of the screen incorporate your plants, transferred into larger more decorative planters, and layered items like the stack of books with a decorative object on top like a vase or a smaller planter.
On the mantle I would keep the symmetry at the ends with the lamps, but then incorporate some asymmetry as you move towards the center, like a picture on one side with a small candle in front, and a stack of books with a plant or vase on the other side. Please send in a follow up photo once you’ve restyled the space! I’d love to see!
